But the soft-spoken rookie forward, who has a team-leading three goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, has announced his presence loudly.

Gaudreau is the second NHL player and first in 73 years to score the first three goals of his career in the Stanley Cup Final. He also is the third rookie in league history to collect consecutive game-winners in the Final and the second to do so in this series, previously accomplished in the first two games by Penguins forward Jake Guentzel.

So what else is it going to take for Gaudreau to receive a permanent locker stall?

“The way he’s playing right now,” Predators forward Austin Watson said, “we’ll keep him right there.”

The origins of Gaudreau's emerging legend are appropriately humble. The Predators discovered the 24-year old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, signing the undrafted free agent to a series of one-year American Hockey League contracts before rewarding him with an entry-level NHL contract in January 2016.

In his first full season with the Milwaukee Admirals, Gaudreau became an AHL All-Star. He finished this season with 25 goals and 48 points, both of which were career highs at any level.

Milwaukee's season ended April 26 in a first-round postseason elimination, and theoretically so did Gaudreau's. Nashville didn't anticipate using him in the Stanley Cup playoffs but had to improvise when top centers Ryan Johansen and Mike Fisher suffered injuries in Game 4 of the Western Conference final against the Anaheim Ducks on May 18.

Inactive for nearly a month and thrown into the highest-pressure situation of his playing career, Gaudreau won 10 of 14 faceoffs in a series-shifting Game 5 victory at Honda Center.

“I just try to put my focus at the right spot," said Gaudreau, who has played center and wing during his six playoff games. "Maybe I’m not too old, but I’ve lived some stuff maybe. It’s been three years (since I’ve been a professional). I’ve lived some stuff, and every time I was trying to get better mentally. I’m getting to that point where I think I can handle those situations.”

Gaudreau hasn't been besieged by big-stage jitters. His coolness under fire is what has made him an instant sensation.

“He is very mentally strong," Predators forward Harry Zolnierczyk said. "He has just a great concept for being able to stay in the moment and not get fooled or let on by things going on around him. He’s super focused all the time. It’s just something that comes with his personality.”

That brings us back to the locker, which Gaudreau clearly has outgrown. If you were to ask him, he'd be content with even lesser means.

“I could be sitting on the floor and I would take it,” Gaudreau said. “I’m just happy to be here.”

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (32) is congratulated after he scored the second Predators goal in the second period in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in Nashville, Tenn on Saturday, June 3.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (32) is congratulated by left wing Austin Watson (51) and right wing Craig Smith (15) after he scored in the second period in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in Nashville, Tenn on Saturday, June 3.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (32) moves the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) tries to grab it during the first period of game 3 in the Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, June 3, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (32) celebrates his goal with left wing Austin Watson (51) during the third period of game 1 in the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Monday, May 29, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (32) helps goalie Pekka Rinne (35) protect the goal as Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) tries to score during the first period of game 6 of the Western Conference finals at Bridgestone Arena Monday, May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) and center Frederick Gaudreau (32) defend against Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) during the first period of game 6 in the Western Conference final at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, May 22, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (32) celebrates the goal by left wing Austin Watson (51) in front of Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) during the first period of game 6 of the Western Conference finals at Bridgestone Arena Monday, May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators Frederick Gaudreau (32) sends Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) flying in the air during the third period of the Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference finals at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY

The Nashville Predators Frederick Gaudreau tries to score but is blocked by Juuse Saros during practice, Wednesday Sept. 28, 2016, at the Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins/ The Tennessean